Shunned by the Golden Globes. Yet, 82 million viewers on Netflix. It's record audience. They can't all be wrong. Right?

For those whose idea of a good movie is Saturday night Fast and the Furious fayre, you are never likely to watch this. However, I must confess that, while I like a good war movie and the odd action flick, if a costume drama is done well, I like them too. Thus, Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility is superb. But this...

I'll get the obvious out of the way as it will just draw in unpleasant comments from posters migrating over from their general rant-fest in News/Politics. The warped racial casting is truly bl00dy annoying. It is so forced it comes across not as inclusive, not even ham-fisted, but as ridiculous.

Inevitably, the GG shun has been seen as racially motivated and commentators have sought to draw traction for themselves by alleging this in various articulate ways. However, this says more about their polemics than the reality on the ground.

Netflix have clearly spent a great deal of money on this and it is indeed lavish. Men in suits appear to have sought to combine the highly successful (and very good) Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones genres into this period, romantic confection. To recover the outlay, the show has been pushed mercilessly, and stories have been planted by Netflix everywhere you look.

Thus, fools like me in their millions have been curious and have chanced a glance. However, I honestly wonder if, of the 82 million who have "watched" it, how many have persevered?

I would hope not many. It's issue is not the casting, or the genre. It is the fact that it really is absolutely feckin awful. My mate (who incidentally is of he progressive left so beloved on this site) used to be media editor for one of the Sunday broadsheets. As such, he has seen everything and has a keen critical eye of what is good and what is bad. We don't always agree, but I respect his view as it is informed by decades of thoughtful viewing. On this he said as follows:

"Bridgerton must be the worst thing I have ever seen on TV"

It is a view that is difficult to argue with. It really is that bad.

And given the expensive luxurious production budget, it has to be seen as the ultimate turd rolled in glitter.

GG shunned this pile of steaming kak because it is a pile of steaming kak and kudos to them for doing so given the inevitable woke backlash.

I implore you, if only for the sake of your everlasting soul, do not be tempted to look at this show - even if only to affirm how bad TV can be - you will only end up as another of the 82 million mugs seduced by this effluent.

I have to say that's a well written and entertaining post.

I haven't watched this, but then again I've never been into costume dramas.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Watched it for about 10 mins. Wife and self gave up.

My missus watched all of it on Sunday which was good because I watched all four matches on Sunday on sky uninterrupted

walking down the holmesdale road to see the palace aces!

Watched the whole series, lockdown fever! Thoroughly enjoyed it

Another series I recommend, which I believe starts again soon is unforgotten

Edited by Spiderman (04 Feb 2021 4.46pm)

I dont think you fully grasp the true horror of this. I dont mind cuddling up with missus for formulaic romcoms. You know the ones where the DVD cover featured Matthew mconnohay (or whoever) leaning against a wall wearing a dinner suit with the black tie undone. However this sh1te is many orders of magnitude below that. It is the 7th layer of hell. Badly acted badly scripted bad drama. It has no redeeming features at all.